DJ Lagway, Aidan Mizell steal show in first half of Florida's spring game

The Florida spring game got underway on Saturday afternoon, with all eyes on talented freshman quarterback DJ Lagway. He didn’t take long to impress.

On his second drive of the game, Lagway marched the team down the field then delivered the dagger, a perfect post pattern to Aidan Mizell for a 22-yard score. The throw threaded the needle between a handful of defenders, showing the kind of elite skill that made Lagway a five-star prospect.

But Mizell’s emergence is also key for the Gators.

“In particular in that room we need some of those young guys to continue to develop,” coach Billy Napier said on the ESPN+ broadcast. “Aidan’s had a great offseason. I think he was a track guy coming out. I think he’s developed nicely, coach (Billy) Gonzales has done a good job with him. He was an elite sprinter, 10.6 (100-yard dash), 48 quarter (mile). Both parents ran track at the University of Florida.

“His receiver game, his skill level is improved and it’s good for him to show up and make a play. That’s going to give him some confidence in the offseason.”

In the first quarter, DJ Lagway went 6-of-10 passing for 122 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing five times for 27 yards. Any contact was immediately rule down or Lagway likely would have had significantly more rushing yardage.

While he should get time to develop behind Graham Mertz in 2024, Florida will need Lagway ready to play sooner than later.

His coach isn’t worried about his development after seeing the attitude DJ Lagway has attacked things with since he got to Florida. And before Florida, too, really.

“I would say the most impressive thing about him is the character piece,” Napier said. “I think his humility and the way he handled all the attention. We started recruiting DJ before he became the five-star, Gatorade National Player of the Year. And to see him handle the recognition that comes with that, I think it’s been awesome to see.

“His family is impressive. A ton of respect for the young man that they raised. He’s a worker. He’s got the respect of his teammates because of the detail and the discipline, the work ethic. He’s worked extremely hard, going all the way back to January.”